June 14, 2007 This Green Heron was standing at a popular fishing spot where I usually see humans trying to catch a meal! These herons are much smaller than the Great Blues or Night Herons. One guide states that they are about the size of a large crow. I was happy to get this photo, I just needed this bird to have my Tennessee "heron collection" complete.
These majestic birds were photographed in a cattle feed lot near the Hiwassee Wildlife Management Area, in Birchwood, TN (Meigs Co.) on Feb. 10, 2007. This photo was taken with a 70 - 300mm zoom lens. Note the bright red patch on the bird's head on the right. There are 2 sub-species of these Cranes, the Lesser Sandhills (3' - 3.5' tall) and Greater Sandhills (4.5' - 5'). Cranes are grain eaters, but they also eat worms, insects, mice and snakes. One way to remember the difference between a crane and a heron is, "Cranes eat grains, herons eat herrings." Well, they might not really eat herrings, which are marine fish, but it helps to remember that they are fish eaters!
Sandhill Cranes in a field of grain
